Measles Outbreaks In Disneyland; The Number of Infected Persons Exceeds The Average Annual Number In The US

What has started as an outbreak of measles among seven people in Disneyland on December 2014 has already multiplied to more than twice the original number when it was first recorded. Apparently, an unvaccinated woman, resident of California, transmitted the virus across the theme park, the Department of Public Health of California reported on Jan. 7.

On Wednesday, the Health Department of Washington, Utah, and Colorado have also confirmed cases of this contagious virus, according to the Los Angeles Times.

When put all together, these cases can now account for approximately 12% of the average measles cases for the whole year, which has been recorded as 220 cases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said.

Measles is the kind of virus that dwells in the throat and nose of infected people. To CDC, measles is the most deadly contagious childhood disease. The symptoms include coughing, red eyes, rashes, and fever. Though there are approximately 20 million people in the world who contract measles every year, the CDC says the US takes part of this number through their expected 220 average cases each year.

In an attempt of eradicating the disease or lowering the number of infected individuals, mumps, measles, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is given to children twice before school-age. While the vaccine is reportedly 99% effective, a recent US “anti-vaccine” movement is linking autism to it. Scientists have already decried this claim as nothing but a misleading and false idea.

Nevertheless, numerous people are associating the movement to the actual number of infected 2014 cases which is 644- a number too high for the expected quantity.

The Truth Behind Measles

Measles is a contagious disease that is manifested through the appearance of rashes in the body. In other countries, measles is also referred as red measles or rubeola.

The vaccine can protect a person from it. A measles vaccine consists of (MMR) mumps, measles, and rubella. In the US, children get this vaccine as part of the childhood immunization- the reason why this disease is rare in the country.

Virus causes measles. It’s spread from one infected person to another through sharing drinks or foods, sneezing, and coughing because the virus has the ability to be airborne. This only means that could be infected with it if you’re near a person who carries the virus, regardless of whether she sneezes or coughs directly at you. Contacting it once will provide you the immunity. Generally, most people who born prior to 1957 had measles.

Experts say that hygienic cleaning can prevent the spread of the virus within the place the infected person frequents. This kind of cleaning involves setting the cleaners focus on areas where the carrier is staying.

Hand-washing is among the most vital aspects of hygienic cleaning. With the use of warm water and soap, hand-washing can prevent the spread of the causative agent. In places where soap and water aren’t available, a hand-gel that is alcohol-based could be of help.

A qualified infectious disease control professional could, also, be of help in both isolating and eliminating measles and its main causative agent from spreading further. These people have the capability and the appropriate tools needed in the cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing processes.